Walk me through your day..

markw

markw

Member
So ive been around these boards for a while now and have read alot about what to do with your saltwater tank in general maintenence such as water changes and such..but i never read anything where people tell about what they do day in and day out. This is what id like to know. What your daily chores are that you do every day.
Mark
 
t316

t316

Active Member
Clean the glass with the mag-float, otherwise try to keep my hands out of the tank...
The more you can resist playing in the tank, the better off it will be.
 
crimzy

crimzy

Active Member
I get some hard, ridiculous algae and my tank is very difficult to clean so instead of scraping algae for 3 hours every week or so, I spend about 40 minutes per day scraping algae. Aside from that it's just feeding and checking the auto top off reservoir to make sure it has enough water.
 
jayking232003

jayking232003

Member
Well, get home, feed fish, i turn off filters and stuff at this time, check protein skimmer cup, check temp, clean off the bottom of my lights. Also, I check to make sure the snails and crabs didn't knock off my frags. thats daily. I mix my nitrate, calcium tests, and salinity in about 3 times a week and do top off when needed. U asked for daily. so there ya go
 
salt210

salt210

Active Member
check water level in sump, check collection cup for skimmer, clean glass if need be, and check siphon hose to refuge for air. feed every 3 days
 
salt210

salt210

Active Member
Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/3007476
I get some hard, ridiculous algae and my tank is very difficult to clean so instead of scraping algae for 3 hours every week or so, I spend about 40 minutes per day scraping algae. Aside from that it's just feeding and checking the auto top off reservoir to make sure it has enough water.

realizing setting up a ato would make things a lot easier.
 
socal57che

socal57che

Active Member
About the only thing I do daily is stare at it.
I feed every other day or two.
I top off every other day.
I scrub the glass with a magfloat twice a week and scrape the coraline with a blade every other week or so.
I don't test the water unless I suspect a problem.
I dont mix salt as I have an endless supply of free natural seawater...I fill 7 6gal water bottles every 2 weeks at Birch Aquarium, on my way to or from the airport.
I dump and clean the skimmer every couple days as needed.
I clean the filters every 2 weeks.
I do 5 gal water change twice a week now. I was supposed to switch to a daily 1 gallon change, but have yet to get on that program.......https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=342977
 
markw

markw

Member
Well..now this makes more sense. Ive always heard...from fw owners that you have to do all kinds of water changes..expensive tests..a full out cleaning and water change..and the list goes on and on from unknowing people. After being here awhile, I doubted it. Thanks everyone.
Mark
 
W

westwind77

Member
Clean the glass with magnet (2 minutes) every other day.
Top off with 2 QT water every day or every other day. It evaps fast with no glass on top!
Feed, every other day.
Sit back, watch, enjoy, and take fun photos!
 
markw

markw

Member
Everyone is saying to top it off, and I understand why, but that brings about another question. Do you use RO/DI water each and every single time? I hear you have to some places, and some places ive heard say that you dont have to 100% of the time if you use dechlorination chemicals in the water (which makes no sense, because the RO/DI filter also cleans down to 1 micron I believe). Thanks.
Mark
 
salt210

salt210

Active Member
Originally Posted by Markw
http:///forum/post/3008085
Everyone is saying to top it off, and I understand why, but that brings about another question. Do you use RO/DI water each and every single time? I hear you have to some places, and some places ive heard say that you dont have to 100% of the time if you use dechlorination chemicals in the water (which makes no sense, because the RO/DI filter also cleans down to 1 micron I believe). Thanks.
Mark
yes you do. thats why a lot of people here have a storage container that is used to house only RO/DI water
 
socal57che

socal57che

Active Member
Originally Posted by Markw
http:///forum/post/3008085
Everyone is saying to top it off, and I understand why, but that brings about another question. Do you use RO/DI water each and every single time? I hear you have to some places, and some places ive heard say that you dont have to 100% of the time if you use dechlorination chemicals in the water (which makes no sense, because the RO/DI filter also cleans down to 1 micron I believe). Thanks.
Mark

Originally Posted by salt210
http:///forum/post/3008354
yes you do. thats why a lot of people here have a storage container that is used to house only RO/DI water

It's not just chlorine. You also add more dissolved solids when you add tap water. Tap water can contain a host of unwanted contaminants such as copper, phosphates, pharmaceuticals, etc., etc., etc.
I use RO water for EVERY top off.
 
crypt keeper

crypt keeper

Active Member
Originally Posted by Markw
http:///forum/post/3007596
Well..now this makes more sense. Ive always heard...from fw owners that you have to do all kinds of water changes..expensive tests..a full out cleaning and water change..and the list goes on and on from unknowing people. After being here awhile, I doubted it. Thanks everyone.
Mark
For a healthy FW set up you need to do the same thing. You cant just throw a bunch of piranhas in a tank and just add water every once ina while and feed them. SW is a pain in the rear to get started. Its more expensive than FW if you go the Live rock route. Once a tank is up and running and has fully established itself they are a joke to take care of. But yes for the first month. Its test this test that. Water changes after they are good to go. Then after that its bi weekly water changes if you have decent amount of rock and a good skimmer. Water change takes 10 minutes. If it takes you any longer than your tank is huge or you have no idea what you're doing. It takes me 15 minutes everyday to check my 3 tanks and feed my fish.
 
jayking232003

jayking232003

Member
I go to my LFS once a week (or when needed) and pay 2.15 for 10g of RO/DI water. Its not a killer! Nor is a cheap unit, but I live in an apt.. so there u go!
 
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